Bars, Dengue, and the Need For Love

“Hey Sexy!”
“You come here. I give what you want!”

We have visited the bars a few times now  and these are things that have been yelled to me a white woman, and man, my heart has never been more confused.  The hurt for the girls mixed with anger for the guys mixed with hurt for the guys and desperation for the girls… I go back and forth 20 times a day. 

But, as we read in 1 Cor 13:1-3 if we have not love, we are nothing. 

Click here to read the entire bible passage on love.

 

I have had to pray for more love every day and ask if you would join me on this.  It is hard to see how young some of the girls are and how good they are at their jobs. 

Also, while we were here the US Navy blew through town and opened up a whole new place in my heart to deal with.  I found myself asking, “Who ever told these guys, that this kind of behavior was okay?!”  The way they swamped Walking Street (the street lined with bars full of girls) taking ladies away by the hand.  They are OUR Navy.  Why?  But at the same time, we saw some of the Navy guys sitting on the sidewalks and a few of them openly admitted that they were just dropped off at Walking Street and didn’t even want to be there.  Oh the questions I could ask… (more on all this later) Again, though, I ask if you could join me on praying for more love as condemnation will never bring anyone to Christ.  Especially if these men are as desparate for love and affection as they seem.

    The harvest is ready.

Also, I have been praying for energy. 

 

I really have none left. 

 

THIS is what it feels like to depend completely on the Lord. For everything.  Wow.
I feel like I fall asleep everytime I blink too long.  We aren’t being worked to the bone or anything either, I’m just tired.  This year has been a process of everyday waking up and doing whatever anyone asks of us.  Many days I love my life, some days I am blown away that I’m a missionary on the other side of the world, often I am perplexed at the Lord’s love, and sometimes, I am just tired. Please pray for our entire squad as we continue pursuing the Lord and truly want to end the year strong.  HE is our strength and I think many of us are learning that right now.

 

One of our teammates, Tammy, is on the better end of recovering from Dengue fever and we are ready for her to join us.  Another gal on the squad, Jen, is also recovering from Dengue.  They shared a room in India so we are pretty sure that is where they got it.  Please pray for them and their return to ministry to be at 100%.

Also, pray for a ministry to emerge for the Ladyboys (young boys who prostitute themselves as women) as there aren’t many groups catering to them specifically.
Thank you so much. I have much to share, so I hope this collage of thought to made sense.

With love,
meredith